President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
